Johnson was blinded at age seven when his stepmother threw a caustic solution[3] and his verses attribute his father, mother, and sister with teaching him how to read.

In 1957, the song was included on the Folkways Records' compilation album Blind Willie Johnson – His Story, with narration by Samuel Charters.

Many artists have recorded it as "Nobody's Fault but Mine" as well as the original title, with the songwriting credits including Blind Willie Johnson, public domain, and traditional.

[6] AllMusic notes renditions by: Clapton considered recording it: "One of his [Blind Willie Johnson's] songs that I would like to have done is 'Nobody's Fault but Mine', but it is almost impossible to play.

"[14] English rock band Led Zeppelin recorded a rendition titled "Nobody's Fault but Mine" for their seventh studio album Presence (1976).

Adapted from Blind Willie Johnson's song, the lyrics represent a more secular theme, with an electric rock music backing.

The group recorded Presence in November 1975 at the Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany, while Plant was largely confined to a wheel chair.

[26] Johnson's 1937 Delta blues song tells of a man trying to stay ahead of the evil which is pursuing him, but it does not address the cause or lasting solution for his predicament.

[27] In Blind Willie Johnson's "It's Nobody's Fault but Mine", the problem is clearly stated: he will be doomed, unless he uses his abilities to learn (and presumably live according to) biblical teachings.

Led Zeppelin retain Blind Willie's admission that he ultimately is to blame, but add Robert Johnson's sense of despair.

Record producer Rick Rubin described the song's structure as "A traditional blues, twisted through a trippy, psychedelic filter.